The Made in America Guide to the TIDAL Stage

Held this coming weekend in Philadelphia — home of the Liberty Bell and Liberty Hall, where the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution — the two-day event features performances from an elite lineup including JAY-Z, J. Cole, The Chainsmokers and an eclectic selection of artists from all genres and levels.

And for the third year in a row we’re proud to be curating the TIDAL Stage at Made In America, featuring a diverse roster of some of our favorite TIDAL Rising artists, which we’ll be livestreaming to TIDAL members around the world on Saturday (9/2) and Sunday (9/3).

Whether you’re on the ground in Philly or tuning into the livestream on TIDAL, we’ve prepared the below guide to the TIDAL Stage so you can get to know our Rising artists a little better ahead of their performances.

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SATURDAY

Ari LennoxSaturday – 1:45 p.m. ET

Ari Lennox is the First Lady of J. Cole’s Dreamville Records. A soul/R&B singer mature beyond her years, Lennox got her start doing covers on YouTube, releasing her debut EP, Ariology, in 2013. Her sound caught the ear of Dreamville rapper Omen who invited her to collaborate on his track “Sweat it Out,” leading to her official signing with Dreamville in 2015. The following year, she released her acclaimed second EP, Pho, featuring the fun and sexy hit single “Backseat,” with label mate Cozz. Soulful, sensual and ultra-cool, Lennox is an artist that we can’t get enough of — and we guarantee you won’t either.

Before her Made in America performance, spend some time with Ari on her personally-curated Songs I’m Thankful For playlist.

Karen RodriguezSaturday – 2:30 p.m. ET

Miami-born, NYC-raised singer-songwriter Karen Rodriguez is a new signee to Roc Nation Latin. Getting her start on the 10th season of American Idol, Rodriguez caught the attention of Marc Anthony, for whom she sang background vocals on “Vivir Mi Vida,” and later Romeo Santos, with whom she helped co-write the songs “Odio” ft. Drake, “Trust” ft. Tengo Calderon and “Gone Forever.” With Santos’ cosign, Rodriguez landed her own record deal with Roc Nation, releasing her first original song in Spanish, “La Tonta de Abril,” as well as its English counterpart, “Happy April fools.”

Get to know Karen Rodriguez up close with her original TIDAL series, The Process. Watch her discuss her Latin heritage in her recent For the Cultura interview. Check out her curated list of tracks she is listening to now here.

Nick GrantSaturday – 3:15 p.m. ET

South Carolina-born MC Nick Grant is on his way to becoming the South’s next big voice. Relocating to Atlanta at age 16, Grant started honing his rhymes and eventually collaborating with the hip-hop heavyweights like Killer Mike, Big K.R.I.T., Young Dro and more on his 2016 mixtape, ’88. This year, he delivered his proper full-length debut, Return of the Cool, featuring the standout track “Bouncin’,” which shows his flow only gets better with time.

Let Nick Grant take you on a tour around the city he calls home in his recent Road to MIA video.

Kodie ShaneSaturday – 4:00 p.m. ET

At just 18 years old, Atlanta rap sensation Kodie Shane belongs to the new wave of emerging hip-hop acts. Following her family’s footsteps — her sister Brandi was a member of ’90s girl group Blaque, her father sang with Detroit vocal group Rick, Ran & Dan and her aunt is a former R&B singer – Shane started making music at 14 and hasn’t stopped since. At 18, she was already an Epic Records signee with the debut EP Zero Gravity to her name and collaborations with the likes of fellow Atlanta rapper Lil Yachty (she’s also the sole female member of Yachty’s Sailing Team crew). A gender-bending, unapologetic songstress with bars for days, Shane is certainly one to watch.

Though hailing from St. Louis, rapper and singer Smino has quickly established himself as one of the biggest new breakouts of the Chicago hip-hop and R&B scene. Moving to Chi-town for college, Smino joined forces with artists Ravyn Lenae, Bari and Jay2, who collectively called themselves Zero Fatigue, and separately with Chicago rappers NoName and Mick Jenkins. With or without his crew of friends and collaborators, Smino is a refreshing voice in hip-hop. On his debut LP blkswn, released earlier this year, Smino exemplified the funky, atmospheric and laid-back style that makes his music so irresistible.

Watch Smino’s recent activities in the TIDAL documentary series following his Swanita Tour.

THEY.Saturday 5:30 p.m. ET

Experimental R&B/hip-hop group THEY. epitomizes the dynamic duo archetype. Linking up through a mutual love of songwriting and production, the Los Angeles-based artists soon found that they shared a creative wavelength. As THEY., members Dante Jones and Drew Love have toured with R&B sensation Bryson Tiller, signed to Mind of a Genius and released their debut EP, Nü Religion: Hyena, featuring the hit single “U-RITE.” With influences from Babyface to Kurt Cobain, it’s no wonder this duo has a standout sound and one that never fails to remain exciting and fresh.

Get to know THEY. before their set at Made in America on their episode of Road to MIA and their very own guest-curated playlist here.

A Boogie wit da HoodieSaturday – 6:15 p.m. ET

A Boogie wit da Hoodie — A Boogie, for short — is one of hip-hop’s biggest breakout acts. With cosigns from names like DJ Khaled, Meek Mill and 50 Cent, the 21-year-old Bronx native was a buzzing name from the get-go. On his 2016 debut mixtape, Artist, A Boogie earned himself a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 with “My Shit” and over 54 million plays on SoundCloud with the track “Jungle.” But that was just the beginning for A Boogie, who later opened for Drake on the Summer Sixteen tour in NYC and landed a partnership with Atlantic Records, with whom he released the EP, TBA. Judging by his pace thus far, this MC is bound to keep moving at full speed ahead with more hits to come.

Get up close and personal with A Boogie with da Hoodie by watching his exclusive 5-part TIDAL documentary following his TBA Tour. Read our new Q&A with A Boogie here.

StormzySaturday – 7:00 p.m. ET

There’s no question that Stormzy is one of the most exciting names in UK grime today. Starting out as a YouTube star, the South London MC gained traction with his freestyle videos and eventually went viral with the visuals for “Know Me From,” which, today, holds nearly 20 million views, and “Shut Up,” standing at over 63 million views. Cosigns from grime MVPs like Skepta and Lethal Bizzle helped boost his clout, but it became clear that he’d paved his own way with his sharp spit game, Adidas-clad aesthetic and charismatic personality. This year, Stormzy released his debut album, Gang Signs & Prayers, doing it independently once again on his own label, #Merky Records.

SUNDAY

Carter WinterSunday – 1:45 p.m. ET

From the backroads of rural Ohio to backstages across the country, Carter Winter’s star has been rising over the past year. With the release of his 2016 record, The Whiskey in Me, Carter established his spot in the future in country music. His comfortable, familiar approach to music and lyrics harkens to decades of tradition, but with a modern bent. Through relentless touring and a knack for penning relatable songs, Carter has earned himself a spot on stage with country’s biggest acts. With his appearance on the TIDAL Stage at Made in America, Carter Winter will bring his brand of anthemic country music to a welcoming Philadelphia crowd.

Carter holds a bevy of diverse artists as influences, check out who he is currently listening to in an exclusive playlist here. See how Carter Winter got to playing Made In America by watching his Road to MIA video.

Downtown BoysSunday – 2:30 p.m. ET

With a corrosive sound and provocative lyrics that call for action and ownership for the downfall of democracy, Rhode Island’s own Downtown Boys embody the very essence of punk rock. Speaking from a multitude of social, sexual and cultural backgrounds, Downtown Boys’ records ooze unyielding energy and are gestated from a necessity of expression. Their relentless rhythm section and Victoria Ruiz’s assertive vocals find their backbone in Joe DeGeorge’s brass accompaniment. With the attention of the music world at large and their first release with Sub Pop, Downtown Boys will confidently proclaim that “a wall is just a wall” and time is of the essence to account for the human condition.

While on tour in support of their Sub Pop debut, Cost of Living, the Providence-based rockers have had an eclectic collection of music in rotation. Check out what they are listening to in an exclusive playlist here. Meet the one and only Downtown Boys with their DNA video.

Mozart La ParaSunday – 3:15 p.m. ET

As the very first signee to Roc Nation Latin, Mozart La Para has been popularizing an urban and tropical sound all his own. Under the keen eye and mentorship of Roc Nation Latin president Romeo Santos, the Dominican artist has found tremendous early success, with singles like “Fiesta y Vacilón” making his name well known before he’s even released a full-length album. Prepare for Mozart to take the Made in America audience and show them “el orden” of things.

Watch Mozart La Para talk about his home, heritage and family in his Where I’m Fromand For the Cultura videos. For more in the world of Mozart La Para, take a listen to his exclusive playlist of the music he has on rotation right now here.

A R I Z O N ASunday – 4:00 p.m. ET

New Jersey electro-pop band A R I Z O N A has garnered the praise from critics and fans alike thanks to a frenetic, accessible sound that has slowly crept its way to a growing audience. As their careers progress, their music and inspiration has unfolded to the point of being bare and vulnerable without faltering into self-involvement. With an “electric touch,” they project their inspiration to the rest of the world.

As the band’s appearance on the TIDAL Stage nears, get caught up on what the band has been listening to on the road with their exclusive playlist here. Meet the members of A R I Z O N A in their Road to MIA close up.

Jorja SmithSunday – 4:45 p.m. ET

Somewhere between the musical nuances of Ms. Lauryn Hill and Portishead’s Beth Gibbons comes the indulgent, moody voice of British soul singer Jorja Smith. With a voice that can guide, climb or ride any melody, Smith has revealed her extraordinary talent on tracks “Teenage Fantasy,” “Beautiful Little Fools” and of course her Drake feature, “Get It Together.” Her intoxicating music leaves a beguiled public awaiting her first proper album.

A shining star of the “Afropop Renaissance,” UK artist Maleek Berry calls upon many influences, taking cues from dancehall, classic R&B and the music of Nigeria to inform his sound. A self-starter, Berry produces his own work, in addition to taking the reigns for WizKid and Wande Coal. With a sonic vision respected by his peers, and talent to spare, the future only looks prosperous for Maleek Berry.

From his early days of listening to Fela Kuti through his smash-hit success of writing and producing on Drake’s “One Dance,” WizKid’s rise to prominence is as sudden as it is expected. Widely regarded as the forefather of fusing dancehall and hip-hop, the Nigerian star on the rise already boasts a catalog overrun with jams that are being played around the world. Tapping the pulse of today’s popular music, there is no doubt that WizKid will have the crowd moving in at Made in America.

KYLE (also known as SuperDuperKyle) has set the bar high for what an XXL Freshman can do. As embodied in his song “iSpy,” one of the biggest hits of the year, KYLE’s music contains a certain levity and joy that’s missing from most mainstream hip-hop. The Reseda, California-born musician is gearing up for his first album on Atlantic Records, using the momentum from “iSpy” to catapult his latest single, “Nothing 2 Lose.” KYLE’s brand of sugary and boastful hip-hop speaks across many cultural and social parameters and cuts to the point; life is to be lived and KYLE is living.

Before KYLE hits the TIDAL Stage, get a peek into what he is listening to with this exclusive playlist here. Check out KYLE’s Road to MIA here.

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